After spending two years in IndyCar following his initial NASCAR Cup Series retirement post-2020, Jimmie Johnson returned to the Cup Series as not only a part-time driver but a team co-owner in 2023.

He took over Petty GMS Motorsports, the team formed when Richard Petty Motorsports and GMS Racing merged, and helped to orchestrate their rebrand to Legacy Motor Club. He competed in three races in 2023, though he had planned on competing in more before a mid-season family tragedy.

In 2024, the team switched from Chevrolet to Toyota, and Johnson ran a nine-race schedule, putting him at 698 career starts.

So when he only confirmed two races, the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, on his 2025 schedule, there were rumors that he was content with hitting 700 starts and then stopping for good.

Jimmie Johnson NASCAR retirement put on hold

That was clearly never the plan, as he recently confirmed that he plans to run NASCAR’s inaugural race at Naval Base Coronado this coming June. But that announcement triggered another rumor.

Given the fact that Johnson had never specifically targeted new races since his 2023 return before, was it possible that he was merely aiming to go out with one final start at NASCAR’s newest California venue, a venue just 20 miles from his hometown of El Cajon?

That rumor has since been debunked as well, and at this point, it’s probably about time we stop speculating as to whether or not the 50-year-old actually has plans to call it quits and merely shift his attention over to the team ownership side of the business.

As the new majority owner of the team, it has become clear that he plans to compete for as long as he wants to (and is able to) compete.

Johnson has confirmed that he plans to run the Daytona 500 for the fourth consecutive year, and after an impressive third place finish in 2025, it’s possible that he could be granted the world-class provisional in 2026. This provisional would guarantee him a spot in the field even if he doesn’t manage to qualify on speed or Duel result.

In 2023, 2024, and 2025, Johnson was not guaranteed to be in the race since the No. 84 car is a non-chartered (open) entry, but he successfully qualified each year.

In 2025, the world-class provisional was issued to Trackhouse Racing’s Helio Castroneves. Castroneves got into the race despite not successfully qualifying, meaning that for the first time since 1993, the field consisted of exactly 41 cars.

The only other open car on the entry list thus far is the No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, which is set to be driven by Justin Allgaier for the second year in a row. Six other open cars are expected to be added before February, with another four longshots still possible as well.

Of course, with the Coronado race scheduled to take place in June, the Daytona 500 scheduled to take place in February, and even the Coca-Cola 600 (which is still not confirmed to be on his schedule, despite him having run it each year since 2023) scheduled to take place in May, he could technically walk away after his “home” race.

But aside from fan conjecture, there has been nothing whatsoever to suggest that those are his plans, and his recent Daytona 500 confirmation also proves that he never simply aimed to run one more race and be done with it.

(GMM) Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali (pictured) has played down expectations of an imminent German GP return, warning that the event will not force its way back onto the calendar without the right commercial conditions.

Germany has been absent from the schedule since the pandemic-era race at the Nurburgring in 2020, with the last traditional German GP held at Hockenheimring in 2019.

Speaking to motorsport-magazin.com, Domenicali struck a cautious tone.

“The good thing is that we’re not desperate, because we have so many inquiries from all over the world,” the Italian said. “If the German market doesn’t see the return of Formula 1 as a priority, then we have to accept that and look ahead.”

That remark follows comments from German motorsport bodies, including the ADAC, who have openly acknowledged that rising hosting fees make a race financially unviable under current conditions.

Still, Domenicali insisted the door is not closed.

“We are ready and open to any kind of discussion,” he added. “I see a few signs of a silver lining. Hopefully this will develop further in the coming months. We are interested in returning to Germany – but with the right organizer and the right offer.”

The wider context is Formula 1’s booming global demand, with new and returning venues competing fiercely for limited calendar slots, leaving traditional European races under increasing financial pressure.

Domenicali also addressed speculation that free-to-air television could help reignite interest in Germany, following ongoing changes to the country’s broadcast landscape.

“I don’t believe that’s the solution,” he said, referring to calls for a stronger free-to-air presence. “We have to wait and see how the situation develops after RTL’s compliance process, as they will then own our rights, to see what the best platform is.”

While acknowledging the importance of accessibility, Domenicali made clear that Formula 1’s future lies primarily online.

“Not in the short term on the German market,” he explained, “but we definitely need to put together the right package with RTL to be attractive.”

The Chili Bowl Nationals just got a lot more Chili-er. FloRacing has signed a deal with Chili’s to partner on broadcast coverage of the event. 2026 will be the 40th edition of the Chili Bowl, and there will be plenty of big names to watch and great races to see.

It is still the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink. However, FloRacing, the exclusive broadcast provider of the Chili Bowl, has signed a deal with the Bar & Grill that is so aptly fitting of this dirt race.

Chili’s is serving as the official sponsor of the live pre-show. Each day, a new NASCAR star will be a special guest each day of the Chili Bowl Nationals. Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Carson Hocevar, Tony Stewart, and Chase Briscoe are all going to be on the show throughout the week. Chili’s will sponsor the post-show as well as a new series on Flo called “Chili’s Road to Chili Bowl.”

There is going to be a lot of Chili’s influence in the event. I love seeing the NASCAR stars getting involved. Of course, Larson, Bell, and Stewart are not so much NASCAR stars as they are multi-time Chili Bowl Nationals champions, but I digress. A lot of dirt racing knowledge in that lineup, including Chase Briscoe. Then you have Carson Hocevar, the young and wild Cup Series driver. He has some dirt racing experience, just ran the Gateway Nationals in a late model.

Spire Motorsports is definitely the one to thank/blame for this Chili’s sponsorship around the Chili Bowl. They have recently expanded into the High Limit Racing series with Gio Scelzi for 2026. He is also competing in the Chili Bowl. Chili’s is taking this Spire deal and using it to become a premier partner, not just in NASCAR, but in dirt racing as well. It’s exciting to see a brand like this take racing so seriously.

Chili Bowl Nationals featuring NASCAR talent

If Chili’s is serious about racing like it appears they are, that’s good for all motorsports. Who cares if they want to spend some money in NASCAR and in dirt racing. It’s good for everyone.

For instance, Kyle Larson is heavily involved in dirt and NASCAR racing, duh. His High Limit Racing series is becoming a major player against the World of Outlaws. Larson’s talent speaks for itself, as he wins races and championships on both dirt and pavement with regularity. I’d say that his popularity and success as a driver is because of, not in spite of, his overall dedication to motorsports and racing.

The Chili Bowl Nationals is an event that should have so much more mainstream attention. It is a brutal journey for many of these teams and drivers. To go through the alphabet soup and come out on top in the A-Main, that’s the dream of all those who come to Tulsa for this event.

Chili’s is seizing on a moment of growth in motorsports. Believe it or not, that is something that is happening.

“Live sports moments have been key to us reaching passionate fanbases, and that’s what initially drew us to motorsports,” said Tim Forman, Chili’s Director of Media, in a statement. “We continue to show up in unexpected ways with Spire Motorsports, and in that spirit, we’re excited to join both Spire and FloRacing at the iconic Chili Bowl Nationals. We couldn’t think of a better event for Chili’s than the Chili Bowl Nationals and we’re excited to partner with Flo to bring more content to race fans across the country.” 

CONCORD, N.C., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ten Tenths Motor Club has named longtime automotive executive Andy Thomas as its new Vice President of Manufacturer Relations, bringing more than three decades of global experience in luxury automotive sales, marketing and brand management to the newly opened motorsports and lifestyle destination.

In his new role, Thomas will develop and maintain relationships with OEM partners to understand their needs, perspectives and objectives, while working to identify opportunities for growth by leveraging new and existing partnerships to increase facility usage.

Click here for photos to support this release.

Thomas joins Ten Tenths Motor Club after serving as Vice President of Marketing and Communications for McLaren Automotive North Americasince 2015, where he led strategic marketing, communications and global strategy that helped drive record sales growth. During his decade with McLaren, Thomas oversaw experiential events in over 30 major metro markets and developed retail programs that significantly increased sales conversions and owner engagement.

“Andy’s reputation and relationships within the global automotive community are unmatched,” said Rick Hendrick, who founded Ten Tenths Motor Club in partnership with Speedway Motorsports. “His leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our partnerships with manufacturers and luxury brands as we continue to establish Ten Tenths as a world-class venue for automotive experiences.”

Prior to McLaren, Thomas served in leadership roles with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in both Goodwood, U.K. and North America, where he guided global brand alignment and oversaw international marketing strategy across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Earlier in his career, he held key marketing and sales roles with BMW of North America, Ferrari North America and Land Rover North America, gaining experience in dealer relations, product marketing and luxury customer engagement.

“Our vision for Ten Tenths Motor Club is to establish the facility as not only a premier experience for passionate automotive enthusiasts, but also to create a destination for corporate events that is unmatched in the automotive industry,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “We look forward to Andy joining our efforts to invite manufacturers from around the world to Ten Tenths Motor Club and the greater Charlotte region.”

A Clemson University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Thomas also serves on the Board of the Erwin Center for Brand Communication at his alma mater. In that role, he mentors students, sponsors real-world marketing projects and connects students with opportunities across the automotive and luxury brand landscape.

A native of Salisbury, Maryland, Thomas began his career in dealer operations at Fox Chevrolet in Baltimore before joining the OEM side of the industry. His work has taken him across the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, building a broad network and a deep understanding of international brand collaboration.

“I’m thrilled to join Ten Tenths at such an exciting time,” Thomas said. “The club’s vision represents the next evolution of automotive lifestyle and performance culture. I look forward to connecting global manufacturers with this extraordinary facility and to becoming part of the Charlotte community.”

Located adjacent to the iconic Charlotte Motor Speedway, Ten Tenths Motor Club combines exclusive track access, curated events and premium hospitality to create an unparalleled environment for members and partners. The facility has quickly become a premier destination in the Charlotte metropolitan area for automotive launches, luxury brand activations, enthusiast experiences and special events. Tickets are now on sale for Ten Tenths Motor Club signature public event, Heritage Invitational, April 9-11, 2026.

About Ten Tenths Motor Club

Based in Concord, North Carolina, Ten Tenths Motor Club is a private automotive and lifestyle destination designed for those who live and breathe performance. Located beside Charlotte Motor Speedway, the club offers members access to exclusive driving experiences, signature events, and brand collaborations with the world’s most respected automotive manufacturers and luxury partners.

Learn more at www.tententhsmotorclub.com.

SOURCE Speedway Motorsports

https://www.hendrickmotorsport…Editor’s note: This is part of a series from NASCAR.com reviewing the top 30 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in reverse order of the 2025 final standings. 

• Driver: Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 
• Crew chief: Blake Harris 
• Final 2025 ranking: 13th
• Key stats: six top fives, 16 top 10s

How 2025 ended: Bowman made the Cup Series Playoffs for the second year in a row, earning the final spot available on points.  

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Best race: Suffering a major crash in the previous race at Michigan International Speedway, Bowman participated in the inaugural Cup Series event in Mexico City in obvious pain. Not feeling 100%, Bowman overcame a 29th-place starting position to finish fourth at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, earning what was his third top five of the season. It began a streak of seven top-11 results over the next eight races. Odd timing for sure, but Mexico City paved the way toward his 2025 playoff spot. 

Other season highlights: Bowman’s stellar summer certainly stood out, but his superb start to the season was equally impressive. The Tucson, Arizona, native earned top 10s in five of the first six races, including a runner-up at Homestead-Miami Speedway after earning the pole. During the summer months, he finished third twice and added a second-place at Richmond Raceway, nearly besting Austin Dillon for the win. Down the stretch, he finished seventh at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, adding another plus result to what’s historically been one of his best tracks.

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Quotable: “The biggest strength is the momentum that we have behind us … the year that we’ve been able to put together, the speed that we’ve had at some race tracks that I’ve been pretty bad at before. At Homestead(-Miami Speedway), we’ve never been good and we almost won. Richmond, we’ve been pretty bad with the Next Gen car, and we were strong there. So, I think that shows me that we can go to places that we haven’t been good at before and be really strong.”

Looking ahead: Bowman will return to Hendrick Motorsports in 2026 for his ninth full-time campaign with the organization.